Truck.



H. L. JENKINS.

TRUCK. APPLICATION FILED DCT-23,1914- ,258,776. Patented Mar. 12, 1918.

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-I-IARR'YV L. JENKINS, OF VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA, ASSIGNOR TO MATHEWS GRAVITY CARRIER COMPANY, OF ELLNOOD CITY, PENNSYLVANIA,

A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

TRUCK.

App1cation led October 23 To all 'whom may concern:

Be it known that I, HARRY L. JENKINS, a citizen of the Dominion of Canada, and resident of Vancouver, Province of British Columbia, Dominion of Canada, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Trucks, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in a device designed for use as a combination reversible' truck, skid and ladder, capable of use as a truck for the moving of any commodity for any purpose such as from one department to another, in a factory, in the course of manufacture, as a skid for the loading of cars or the skidding of heavy articles of merchandise, such as barrels, boxes, etc., from or onto wagons, cars and trucks, or the loading of wagons or cars either up an incline or-on a level, or for general use as a short ladder. v

The invention consists generally in the constructions and combinations hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification,

Figure 1 is a plan view of a device embodying my invention,

Fig. 2 is a side elevation ofthe same,

Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section,

Fig. 4 is a detail of one of the wheels,

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the saine.

The truck frame is preferably formed of four angle iron bars, although I do not limit myself to forming the frame of this material. As here shown, there are two inner angle iron bars 2, 2. These bars are similar and the horizontal web or flange of each bar is preferably of slightly greater width than the vertical web or flange. There are also two outer angle iron bars 3, 3. The horizontal flanges or webs of these bars are preferably of less width than the vertical websv or flanges. Suitable spacing blocks 4 are arranged between the pairs of bars and the bars are secured together by rods 5 which pass through the vertical flanges of the bars and through the spacing blocks 4 and are provided with nuts@ and 7, which bear against the inner and outer vertical flanges of said bar, and clamp said bars against the spacing block 4 and rigidly se* cure the pairs of bars in parallel relation to Specification of Letters Patent.

, 1914. Serial No. 868,324.

each other, the distance between the bars being determined by the length of the cross bars 5, and the position of the nuts thereon.

Each of the flanged bars is preferably pointed at one end and the flanges are brought together and secured by a rivet 8. The opposite end of each flanged bar is preferably provided with a double hook 9, which may be secured against one of the vertical flanges in any suitable manner. I have here shown the hook as held in place by the bolts that hold the end wheels (sec f Fig. 1). Mounted in bearings in the vertical flanges of the bars are the anti-friction wheels 10. These wheels are preferably made of pairs of stamped steel disks having outwardly turned edges and with the first webs of the disks placed against each other and secured by suitable rivets 11. The inner edges of the disks are bent outwardly so as to form a race 12 for a series of balls 13. A sleeve 14 is provided with an annular groove 15 to receive the inner portions of the ball. The sleeves 14 are of a length to correspond to the distance'between the vertical flanges of the rails. AThese wheels are spaced at suitable distances apart and they are held in position by bolts 16 that pass through the vertical franges of the rails and through the sleeve 14. Suitable nuts 17 are provided upon the inner ends of the bolt which serve to clamp the rails firmly against the ends of the sleeve 14.

As will be noted in Fig. 2 of the drawings the center wheel of the device is raised slightly above the end wheels, and the centers of the intermediate wheels are on lines gradually sloping from the center of the center wheel to the center of the end wheel. This arrangement causes the center wheels to project the greatest distance from the rails, and thel surfaces of thc other wheels are on a gradual incline or slope from the center toward the end of the truck in either direction.

Vhile I do not limit myself to any particular size of the parts of the device, I have found it convenient to space the wheels six inches apart on centers and to space the cross bars or rods 5 twelve inches apart on centers. I have also found it convenient to make the truck in standard lengths of five feetsix inches. made of any desired length that suits spe- They can, of course, be

cific conditions. I have also found it convenient to use wheels three inches in diameter with five-eighths inch faces. These proportions may, however, be changed as desired.

When the device is used as a truck it can be easily pivoted on the two higher middle wheels and in pushing it along only the middle wheels and those between the middle wheels and one end of the truck will be in use at a time, the other wheels being slightly raised from the ground or floor. The truck can be pushed in either direction and as here shown will have a bearing when so used on six pairs of wheels. The horizontal flanges of the rails will, when the track is so used, be uppermost and they form broad supporting surfaces for the articles to be transported.

As I have constructed the device, the inwardly extending flanges of the inner rails will support an ordinary barrel or keg and permit it to slide over the rails as a skid with the bilge of the barrel or keg clear or out of contact with the cross bars 5 connecting the side rails. y

In using the device as a truck the horizontal flanges of the rails will be uppermost and the wheels will rest upon the floor or ground. As before explained, the device can be readily swung horizontally, the two center wheels acting as a pivot. When it is desired to move the truck along the rails will be tilted slightlyl so as to cause all of the wheels between the center wheel and one end of the truck as well as the center wheels to rest upon the floor or ground. The device will then be adapted for movement longitudinally to any desired extent, and it may be used for moving heavy articles and will be found particularly desirable for moving articles from one department to another in the course of manufacture and for the loading of cars with heavy articles. In loading the cars or wagons where the articles must be raised to a higher level the device may be placed with the wheels uppermost and with the hooks in engagement with the edge of the floor of the car or wagon, and with the opposite pointed end of the device in engagement with the floor or surface from which the articles are to be raised; The articles can then be pushed up over the wheel side of the device into the car or wagon. In unloading, either side may be used upper most. It will generally be desirable to have the wheel side down in using the device as a skidl for the unloading of cars or wagons, or moving heavy articles from a higher to a lower level. The device may also conveniently be used as a short ladder at any time. This will be convenient frequently for use Copies ot this patent may be obtained for in climbing into cars or wagons or generally in providing a convenient means of ascent from a lower to a higher level.

I have shown and described the truck provided with two side rails, and this number will usually be found sufficient, but if preferred one or more additional intermediate rails may be used.

I have designated the rolling element 10 of the device as an anti-friction wheel. It will be understood, however, that I do not limit myself to any particular width of face of this element, and this element might be designated as a wheel or roller, and by the term wheels as used in the specification and claims, I intend to include rotating elements having such width of face as to be usually designated as ro1lers.

I do not coniine myself to the details of the construction herein shown and described or to the specific material mentioned for the various parts of the device. In all of these particulars the structure may be varied without departing from my invention.

I claim as my invention:

l. A combined truck and skid comprising in combination pairs of side rails spaced apart, cross bars connecting said side rails at intervals and wheels journaled between each pair of side rails and depending below their lower edges when the device is used as a truck, the centers of said wheels bein arranged upon lines sloping from the middle portion of said rails toward each end thereof.

2. A combined skid and truck comprising in combination pairs of side rails formed of angle bars spaced apart, the anges of said bars forming broad bearing surfaces for supporting articles thereon, cross bars connect ing said side rails at intervals and wheels journaled between the rails of each pair and depending below the lower edges thereof when the device is used as a truck.

3. A device of the class described comprising in combination side rails formed of pairs of angle irons spaced apart, with the inner horizontal flange of each rail of greater width than the outer horizontal flange and forming supports for articles placed thereon, cross bars connecting said side rails at suitable intervals to form ladder rungs and wheels journaled in said rails and depending below the lower edges thereof when the device is used as a truck.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 30 day of September, 1914.

HARRY L. JENKINS.

litnesses F. E. MooRE, Jos. W. HU'MPHREY.

nve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner o! Intent..

Washington, D. C. 

